Community Sailing Center

Select services venue

The venue will provide the space, plus a few extras.

Full wedding (ceremony and reception) pricing

Starting at $300 for off-peak dates, and $1,000 for peak dates

Guest capacity

Up to 125 seated guests

About this venue

Finding the perfect wedding venue can be a daunting task. The Merrill Family Terrace offers breathtaking views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. With a hardwood deck, covered overhang open on three sides, the Terrace allows for a ceremony, reception and dancing all in one! Let us help you celebrate your memorable day. The Community Sailing Center is a lively hub on the shores of Lake Champlain, less than a mile from downtown Burlington, VT, where community members and visitors gather to laugh, learn, and play on the lake together. In 2017, the Community Sailing Center completed construction of the first new building on the Burlington Waterfront in over 20 years. Starting in 2018, this beautiful new facility is available to the community to rent for gatherings and events. Be one of the first to celebrate your special occasion in this purpose-built, Net Zero building and support our mission to provide lake access, recreation, and education for all.

Best of Zola 2023

Seated guest capacity

  • 125

Venue type

  • Ballrooms, Banquet Halls
  • Beaches, Waterfront Settings

Venue setting

  • Covered Outdoor
  • Outdoor
505 Lake St, Burlington, VT 05401

Our event spaces

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Merrill Family Terrace

Celebrate your special day on our covered deck with breathtaking views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks.

The Merrill Family Terrace offers breathtaking views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. With a hardwood deck, covered overhang open on three sides, the Terrace allows for a ceremony, reception and dancing all in one! Includes additional observation deck.

Guest capacity

Up to 120 Seated

Up to 150 Standing

Square footage

2,500

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, Other

Guests often feel this space is

“Surprised and delighted”

Included in this room:

-Electricity and overhead dimmable lighting -Mobile 75” HD monitor with HDMI and wireless hookups -Microphone and speakers capable of audio streaming -Wi-Fi access -Restrooms on first and second floors of building accessible via stairs or elevator -Parking: 9 dedicated parking spots in front of building available by request, additional parking available -Eight 36” round tables (seated or cocktail height)

Room cost

Monday– Thursday $1500, Friday– Sunday $2000

Available services that can be provided by Community Sailing Center

Services & amenities

  • Lighting/Sound
  • Pet friendly
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Wifi

Transportation & access

  • Self parking - free
  • Self parking - paid
  • Wheelchair accessible

Rentals

  • Lighting
  • Sound / AV
  • Standard Chairs

Reviews

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5.0 out of 5

2 reviews

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  • Stunning Backdrop for a Wedding

    •Verified review
    •Carmen George•Dec 29, 2020

    I officiate the first wedding held on the upper vista deck. This venue offers a gorgeous backdrop of the sun setting on Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains. After the ceremony the couple and wedding party went to the water's edge (50 yards away) for private photos. The staff made things run smoothly arranging chair and table set up. They provided rooms on the second floor for the couple to prepare before the ceremony and there was ample parking.

  • Magical Wedding by the Lake

    •Verified review
    •Hannah & T.•Dec 16, 2020

    If we could get married here again we would! Sailing Center was a joy to work with, very communicative and helpful, always ready to open their doors to us for umpteen visits to the deck during the planning stage or to lend us supplies like the elegant lights we had hanging overhead on the big day. The wedding itself was a dream. We got married in summer on the large third floor outdoor covered deck with a breathtaking view of Lake Champlain. Sunset made for GREAT pictures on the promenade and nearby dock. We had no problems with all our vendors getting set up and there was more than enough room for both dining area and dance floor for our ~80ish guests. You also get access to a neat attached observation deck, there is a commercial elevator for easy up and down transfer of all rental items, and bathrooms one level down. Just make sure to plan ahead for parking which is metered and public, but there are plenty of spots. It was the best night of our lives!

Vendors required by Community Sailing Center

Rentals and decor
Rentals and decor
Vermont Tent Company
Essex, VT

Preferred vendors of Community Sailing Center

Bar services & beverages
Backyard Bistro
Charlotte, VT
Decor
Vermont Tent Company
Essex, VT

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